It's been a LONG LONG time........

Two years ago was the last blog entry!! What on earth have I been doing??? I'll just skip from February 2012 until June 2013 because that when our whole world turned upside down. Tom was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had to have surgery to remove it. This was followed up by radiation and chemo. It was a really terrible time all round. So scary when the life of the person you love is threatened. It must have been so much worse for Tom of course, but he just kept saying he was going to beat it and be a survivor. The odds for cancer in the brain are not good but at his last MRI we were told 'there's no visible sign of cancer' anymore. Of course we know it could return but right now we're taking every day as it comes. He's getting stronger every day, beginning to regain his appetite and looks great! Nothing like a life threatening event to make you re-think your life and put things into perspective! You know people say it's in times of trouble that you find out who your real friends are. Well we certainly found out that we had a whole lot more folk caring for us than I thought! We're convinced that all the good wishes and prayers really helped Tom's recovery. Just before all the cancer stuff kicked in, we had arranged for my great nephew Neil to have a year long visit to stay with us here in America and attend the High School as a Freshman. We hoped that it would be a happy and carefree time for him so when we knew all the treatment in store for Tom we gave him the option of pulling out, as we knew we wouldn't be able to travel and do all the things we'd have liked to do with him. He decided that he wanted to go ahead, however, and even said that he'd be able to help look after us both! So here we are with a teenage in the house, with all that brings! Neil's a great lad though and kept me going many days. We're now more than half way through his time here and Wendy and Andrew are counting the days until June, when they come to take him home. Stef came to visit in September and we even managed a wee road trip to Memphis, just the two of us. It was wonderful. I'm so glad we had time together and his visit cheered me up no end. Tom, Neil and I all went to St Croix for Christmas as Neil's Visa didn't allow him to go home and it was Tom's first big trip after surgery and treatment. The weather was wonderful and we enjoyed relaxing in our Villa overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Bliss! I love St Croix so much and really didn't want to come home to Carbondale! We returned for Hogmanay and spent it at Lynn and Brian's, again just what was needed to take my mind off the fact that I wasn't with family and friends in Scotland. I was missing them a lot!! To brighten our winter, Stef and Craig visited in January/early February so we celebrated Tom and Stef's birthdays together. Superbowl was fun at Paulette's when Don introduced us to another "Scot" from Portsmouth!! So funny that he thought Nina had the same accent as me!! We're still laughing at that one!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!! 2012 WOW ... Aye I know it's February, but January just disappeared too fast. Must be a 'getting old' sign eh? I remember my mother saying that time went faster the older you got and I didn't really believe her. Sorry Mammy, you were right after all. My sister Rina died at the beginning of December last year so life wasn't as happy as it usually is at Christmastime. She had cancer and it caused a brain tumour. She really didn't know it was all happening because she'd been on pain control patches which masked the pain so it was too late to have any treatment by the time the cancer was discovered. At least she didn't suffer for a long time. I really still can't believe she's gone. Tom, Maggie and I spent two and a half weeks in UK over Christmas and New Year. I had the best time with family and friends of course. So good to be with Stef and Craig and do our usual festive stuff.Not sure what Maggie thought of it all as she spent all of her time at Stef's online and in her own wee world. She said she had a good time and was having fun, but we haven't heard a word from her since, not one word, even on Tom's birthday. So much for strengthening family relationships eh? We caught up with June, Wendy and family in Woolfords on Boxing Day which was great, and even managed to have some laughs when we went to clear out some of Rina's stuff at her house. June's doing all the lawyer business about selling the house and it looks like we have a buyer already! Weatherwise, we're having a good winter here. Very mild indeed. No snow, although folk are saying it'll come along one day soon! Until then I'm enjoying it being neither too hot or too cold! Mango and Smudge continue to entertain us, better than the telly most nights

Fall? --- Yessss - Bring it on!!

Well, the days are finally getting a little cooler here and the good news for today is that Stef passed his driving test this very morning and just called to tell me! YAY - well done son! I was in Glasgow for three weeks in July/August and he was taking two lessons a week but it all paid off and of course he now needs a car! So yes, I'm next. I do need to be mobile, even if only for shopping, clubs, visits etc., although I know Tom would love me to share the driving on our longer trips, like going to see Maggie. SUCH a drive!! Around four hours each way, and he insists on doing it all in one day which is a total pain. Made even worse by the fact that we sometimes only see Maggie for minutes (last time) or an hour or so. Total craziness really. She still hasn't come to see us here in Carbondale, not even for the Superman Festival which we thought was the best bet. Well if it does anything, it makes me appreciate how much my sons enjoy our visits! We had to tell Craig that he didn't need to come down every day when I was there! Even though it wasn't really what they wanted to do, they both came with us to Largs on our last day, and I enjoyed every minute. Of course I really miss them both now that I'm back here, but it's good to be home too. Mango and Smudge are settling in with each other and play sometimes rather than battling, but occasional wars do still break out! They make me laugh every day and continue to be a source of happiness and company on the days when Tom's away at work.In events that happen here, I've attended my first Baby Shower and we're looking forward to the birth of our neighbours Julie and Kyle's twin girls. I've been knitting and crocheting lots of my favourite baby items of course, some started and finished on the same day. Instant gratification! Our Yarn Shoppe group has been over to 'hang out' and knit at our place and it's good to 'have folk over' - feels gooood, not just getting together in restaurants or whatever. So if you're passing, do pop in, the kettle's on and there could just be some freshly baked Snickerdoodles in the cookie jar! haaaaaa

Looking forward to Summer in Southern Illinois

Well this is the last day of Spring and so tomorrow Summer begins! 94F forecast today, but should be cooler for the rest of the week. Wendy, Andrew and Neil arrive in Chicago on Thursday and will be with us Friday so we're pretty excited about their visit! Wendy and I have been e-mailing regularly with questions about activities, driving, plans and everything else.

We also have a new addition to the family. Last Monday Tom and I were at Irish Inn for Lynn and Brian's Cherokee renewal of vows and a wee kitten was sitting on their porch. Apparently it had wandered out from the Shawnee Forest that morning and they think he was abandoned somewhere close by. I fell in love with him of course, and Tom relented on his "No more cats in the house" statement and wee Smudge came home with us. Mango has not been a happy cat since and terrorises the kitten. He's had so many squirts of water (apparently it's a training aid so that he knows he's doing wrong) that he'll have webbed feet soon! Early days though, hopefully he'll tolerate his wee brother soon.

I've been enjoying my Wednesday Craft group and started a crochet bracelet with wire and beads yesterday. It's looking pretty but slow going with all the other stuff I'm trying to do - get the yard in shape, organise the rooms for the Jones's, and clear out clutter from everywhere! Just as well women are natural multi-taskers! Told Tom we'll need a truck to take everything to Salvation Army so there will be a few trips this week for sure. He's been busy too with his DIY projects - new porch lights, shower head and glider, rail and the vent in the bathroom has finally been replaced too - YAY The lawn mower refused to start yesterday so nae mowing. Hope the guy gets the estimate to us soon for a new deck before I go crashing through the old one! It's really dilapidated now, especially after all the rain and storms we've had.

OK better get some work done now and get rid of our 'To Do' list!

Summer has arrived

Temperature forecast for the day 92F (that's 33C folks) so HOT! Too hot to be working in the yard anytime after 7am so, apart from watering tomatoes, my other veggies and flowers, I'll be indoors with the air conditioning running.
Tom's away to Louisville, Kentucky for a week so I'm home alone, and have loads to do around the house, but of course avoiding it by blogging, being on facebook, checking e-mail etc. I think you know that story! Today the plan is to clear up some of the clutter which accumulates too quickly for me to keep up with it and to start getting the place back in shape after decorating. Why is it that when painting is being done, the whole house ends up in a total guddle? Or is that just me? Where does all the extra clutter come from? Maggie is due to visit in a couple of weeks. She's coming down for the Superman Festival at Metropolis, so I think she'll be amazed at the changes we've made. One of the neighbours told me that I've transformed the place, and she's not even been inside the house!!! It's been a lot of work and there's still a whole lot more to do. My thoughts of sitting crocheting on the back porch all day long are still on hold, as there's always 'work' to do, although breaks for crafting are possible of course!
Wendy, Andrew and Neil will be visiting in just over three weeks, and we're so looking forward to seeing them too, with all the news from home. I miss the family a lot and often wish I could meet up with Rina and June for lunch, and although we have phone calls, webchats and e-mail, it's not the same as a good old blether when we get together. Stef always said I only went over to see him when Tom was around, but he would come to see me and of course Craig was always popping in at Cedar Street, especially for Sunday breakfast. I missed them especially on Mothers' Day of course, and think about them every day and wonder what they're doing. Still, one day soon my passport should be returned and I'll be able to visit and see everyone. Until then, I should be gettin on with getting this place shipshape and ready for guests!

Have I really not blogged since last year? What on earth have I been doing?
Well, settling in mostly, I guess and getting used to life with my wonderful man in USA. My friend Helen told me that she tells her grand-daughter the story of her lovely friend who went to marry her Prince Charming in America, then she shows her USA on the globe that she has. It's my claim to fame - I'm in a bedtme story!
Lynn and Brian from the Irish Inn have been very friendly and I've been out to lunch with Lynn and her Mom. Her Mom loved the fact that I said we were having a "girly day out". Mango even came visiting with us to the Irish Inn and just loved the fireplace, sat on the chimney piece and enjoyed walking along the beams in the great room. Brian loved the tattie scones I made for him and Lynn even suggested I make them and sell them. I just don't know if there would be a great market, although Tom's cousin Pam and her DH Will loved them when we visited. We've also been to see Penny and Ernst and Pat and her family in Virginia Beach. Pat has been my facebook friend and it was really good to meet for real at last.
Well, Tom's been surprised that the neighbours have now included us in their invitations and we went next door to Julie and Kyle's for a Christmas Dessert Get-together which was great! Of course I agonised a bit over what to make and bring along until Tom suggested trifle. We had no custard at the time so had to use cooked pudding and it worked well, tasted delicious and was a hit with all who tasted it. Julie then very kindly brought us in some bread and butter pudding in the dish we left behind. Very neighbourly! They also invited us to their Superbowl party - another first for me - even though I had no idea what was happening in the game.
Now I'm getting ready to go to my new knitting group in Herrin. I went on Ravelry looking for local groups and Michele from the next town replied and volunteered to take me to one that she knew about and had been to a few times. I went for the first time last week and enjoyed every minute. The women were all very friendly and of course there is 'something' about knitting or crocheting together that feels so good! The fact that the group 'hangs out' in The Yarn Shoppe might not be good for my purse, however, as there are so many beautiful yarns on those shelves! I might not resist today!
This morning, I've tried Mhairi's recipe for good old Scottish tablet (which Tom loves) and it seems to be setting nicely right now, so I'll take some along for my knitting buddies, and see if they like it as much as they enjoy my accent!!

Would you believe I'm a very happily married woman!

We got married last Saturday (September 25 2010) at The Irish Inn, Ozark, IL. I'm so happy sometimes I have to pinch myself to see if it's really happening to me! Tom and I waited so long to be together and now it just feels so natural and right.

Stef and Craig came over with me on Monday July 26 and so it felt like a lovely family holiday while they were here. Although Tom was working, he took us sightseeing and the boys had a great time on their first visit to USA.

Mango's growing fast and is a delight to us. A wee kitten as lively and crazy as this one just suits us - fits right into the family! He loves chasing squirrels, birds and bugs but can usually only catch leaves. Of course it's Fall now and the weather suits me just fine. Snuggling up with my wonderful new hubby and my crochet - what more can I wish for? Well, remember I thought I couldn't live without work? Just call me the happy housewife! Long may it last!